Cheap and Easy Leg Press Modification

Рет қаралды 8,352

12 күн бұрын

As I’ve gotten older, the 45 degree leg press has become problematic for my lower back. As a result, I’ve tried a multitude of hacks so I can continue to use the machine.
First, I removed the back pad adjustment tube enabling me to lay horizontal to the ground. This hack made the Leg Press much more lower back friendly; however, it shortened the machine’s range of motion significantly.
Next, I found I could return the back pad adjustment tube if I placed the Powertec Ab Mat under my lower back. Amazingly, the addition of the Ab Mat made the exercise more lower back friendly, but I couldn’t keep my heels planted on the platform as my depth increased. Furthermore, I’m pretty sure my lack of ankle flexibility is one of the reasons the Leg Press has aggravated my lower back over the last few years.
For a while, I was content performing the Petersen Leg Press with my heels off the platform, but if given the choice, I’d rather have constant and total contact with the platform.
My next hack is what you see today. With the Ab Mat and Wedge, I have found my ideal set up.
Luckily, after a few weeks, a lot of testing, and my wife and I using the machine for quite a few workouts, the squat wedge has stayed in place with no signs of it losing its adherence to the platform.
Some of the high-end leg press machines have a revolving platform that pivots with the foot, and I feel this hack offers some of the advantages of the more expensive leg press machines.
Most of the equipment, attachments, and accessories I use can be found following the link in my KZfaq bio / about page. I am an affiliate for Powertec, GymPin, and I have an Amazon affiliate store. Please consider using one of my affiliate links. Any time a purchase is made through my affiliate links, I could receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. When you make a purchase using the link, you help support this channel, but more importantly, it shows the company I am helpful to their brand. Thank you!
All information provided by Home Gym Hacks and Reviews is for entertainment and educational purposes only. No information is to be taken as medical or health advice relating to any individual health or medical condition. You agree that using this information provided by Home Gym Hacks and Reviews is at your own risk and do not hold Home Gym Hacks and Reviews liable for any losses, damages, or injuries resulting from any of the information provided. Always consult a physician before beginning any exercise program.

Пікірлер: 23

@olgasopilniak901 9 күн бұрын

Or maybe just stretch? It's not that hard and doesn't even take long to get to the desired flexibility. I couldn't even go parallel when squatting due to poor ankle mobility. 2 minute ankle stretch every day before sleep and now I can squat ass to grass after only 1 month of stretching. Why go through so much effort and spend so much money when the solution is so simple?

@HomeGymHacksandReviews 9 күн бұрын

Good to hear you were able to improve your flexibility. I’ll work on ankle flexibility and leave the wedge on the platform: best of both worlds. This took 1 minute to install, so no effort and it offers greater knee flexion than no wedge at all.

@bobbyhunt3009 4 күн бұрын

Very Nice Hack!!!! You could help the major companies with their engineering of equipment!!!! Sincerely hope you get that opportunity!!!!

@HomeGymHacksandReviews 4 күн бұрын

Thanks so much BH. Some high-end leg press machines offer an adjustable platform, so I guess this is the next best thing. Really appreciate it.

@thebodybeatdownDiTi 11 күн бұрын

Thats nice..i think many/most people have issues keeping their heels on the platform.Something like this should come packaged with leg/hack press machines..Good job

@HomeGymHacksandReviews 11 күн бұрын

Thank you, BBD!

@AgnesFML 9 күн бұрын

I hope you also address the root of the problem, putting that wedge on the machine is great for knee flexion but it will cause your ankle mobility to decrease even further. I like analogies so heres one i just made up. You've basically just put a tarp over a leak in your roof, the leak isn't leaking anymore and that's good, but there is still a leak under that tarp and it will only get worse.

@HomeGymHacksandReviews 9 күн бұрын

Appreciate the comment. Some of the issue is my lack of flexibility and some of the issue is just my structure. However, as you mentioned, I have a great deal of knee flexion with the wedge on the platform. The 3 reps I show in the video are quality reps with a great amount of quad stimulation.

@Inzane8 5 күн бұрын

I’ve been seeing more and more bodybuilders start to use a leg press technique where their heels do slightly come up off the pad. This allows for a much deeper stretch in the quads. Saw a discussion by Steve hall and Mike israetel on Steve halls podcast revive stronger. Maybe 2-3 months ago ?

@HomeGymHacksandReviews 5 күн бұрын

I have too. Some people are calling it the Sissy Press. I was using this machine like that for a while but my preference is to have constant contact with the platform. I think the wedge on the platform works better / feels better than the Petersen Press / Sissy Press.

@lerekt7818 6 күн бұрын

my friend amazing as always all your hacks, but i have a question, in the background u have the lumbar\glute 45° degree bench the one on the background at your right. can u give me its link please?

@HomeGymHacksandReviews 6 күн бұрын

Thank you. It’s Powertec’s Hyper Crunch. I have an old review and a few KZfaq Shorts for it.

@marywalton293 11 күн бұрын

Nice!

@HomeGymHacksandReviews 11 күн бұрын

Thank you!

@russellkim6884 9 күн бұрын

What about wearing weightlifting shoes and actually training and stretching proper?

@HomeGymHacksandReviews 9 күн бұрын

Sorry you don’t see the value in the modification.

@russellkim6884 4 күн бұрын

@@HomeGymHacksandReviews no, I just don’t give in to gimmicky BS

@HomeGymHacksandReviews 4 күн бұрын

@@russellkim6884 how is having something on the platform that fits my body better and allows for greater knee flexion gimmicky bs? There are very expensive leg press machines that have an adjustable footplate to better fit the user and other high end leg press machines that have a pivoting footplate, to again better fit the user and make the movement more natural. I have used some version of this leg press for 7 years and it has never felt this effective.

@andreadalex8893 10 күн бұрын

Name of squat wedge and link please?!

@HomeGymHacksandReviews 10 күн бұрын

Everything is in my Amazon affiliate store. That link can be found in my Linktree, which is on my main KZfaq page just under my subscriber count (I don’t think YT likes external links posted). Thanks so much.

@jameslangstonevans 9 күн бұрын

@@HomeGymHacksandReviews is this level of inflexibility really that common? something about tippy toe leg pressing seems bad, even with the wedge.

@HomeGymHacksandReviews 9 күн бұрын

@@jameslangstonevans I’ve heard quite a few complain about having a hard time keeping their heels planted while leg pressing with a decent amount of depth and a lot of people squat with 2.5 pound plates under their heels - so lack of dorsiflexion is fairly common. I definitely don’t consider this tippy toe leg pressing. Also, I’m not telling everyone to run out and mount a wedge on their leg press. I am showing what works for me and as I said in the video, I can achieve greater depth and the leg press is more lower back friendly for me after having years of lower back issues while leg pressing.